Thursday, April 28, 2005
Warning: Contains football and contrariness.
Why a neutral should never support Holland.
1) Like Arsenal they believe that football is only played going forward, and that other teams are spoiling it for everyone if they don’t stand aside and let them do what they like.
2) The racism and intolerance of the fans and players.
3) Dutch skill is performed with a sneer, to mock and humiliate. Ronaldinho could not come from Holland - his play comes from exuberance and a love of possibilities.
Why a neutral should support Germany.
1) Their long tradition of nurturing stylish talent – Beckenbauer, Klinsmann, Effenberg, Ballack etc.
2) Their respect for football as a contest, not an exhibition.
3) Their courage, strength and indefatigability.
4) Because they really wind up the Dutch.
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Why a neutral should never support Holland.
1) Like Arsenal they believe that football is only played going forward, and that other teams are spoiling it for everyone if they don’t stand aside and let them do what they like.
2) The racism and intolerance of the fans and players.
3) Dutch skill is performed with a sneer, to mock and humiliate. Ronaldinho could not come from Holland - his play comes from exuberance and a love of possibilities.
Why a neutral should support Germany.
1) Their long tradition of nurturing stylish talent – Beckenbauer, Klinsmann, Effenberg, Ballack etc.
2) Their respect for football as a contest, not an exhibition.
3) Their courage, strength and indefatigability.
4) Because they really wind up the Dutch.
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